BKK - CGK - DPS ** Any suggestions? ** - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

aSiAnRiCk · 01-02-2006, 01:12 AM

Hello

I'm 25yo male from South Florida and will be traveling alone.

I'll be in Bangkok from Jan 17th to Jan 18th. Jakarta and Bali from January 18th to February 13th and again Bangkok from Feb 13th to Feb 17th.

Any suggestions on what to visit, where to go and what to avoid?

I'm pretty much open to whatever ... though I'm not really into the night club scene

I used to back in my younger days lol

In Bangkok, I want to check out the Grand Palace, the temples, Khao San Road, Floating Market, and their Chinatown.

I have a lot of family in Jakarta but I'll have a lot of time for myself too and I don't think I'll have any trouble there lol but I'm still up to any suggestions

I haven't been back to Bali since I was like 12yo ... so I'm a noob all over again with Bali lol

I'm going from PBI > DTW > NRT > BKK > SIN > CGK > DPS using combo of NorthWest Airlines and Garuda Indonesia

The ticket costs me $1155

Had to sell my arm to pay for it so I'd like to get the best out of this trip

Any suggestions is appreciated!

-Rick

aSiAnRiCk · 01-02-2006, 01:16 AM

Oh yeah .. I think I'm going to stay at Suk11 hostel in Bangkok (www.suk11.com) ... though they still have yet replied to my email lol
Have anyone stayed there before?

And I'm not sure where to stay in Bali ... any suggestions??

If any of you are going to be in any of the above locations the same time as me, let me know so we can hang out

**worldwidemike** · 01-04-2006, 07:54 AM

You'll probably be fairly jet-lagged when you first arrive in Bangkok. Not sure how much you'll be up for on that first day there! I suggest using the Chao Praya River Express -- basically a boat/bus that goes up and down the river -- to get around in Bangkok. Many of the sights are clustered close to the river. For those that don't, taxis or tuk-tuks are cheap. Note that hailing a cab on the street is cheaper than getting one from your hotel.

I enjoyed the temples in Bangkok and spent a couple days seeing just them. I also enjoyed taking the train north for a day trip to Ayyuthaya, the medieval capital of Thailand. Lots of temple ruins, stupas, statues of Buddha -- quite cool if you're into history. Another suggestion for Bangkok: Seriously look into a 2-3 day jaunt to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, one of the world's most stunning sights. You can arrange it through a Bangkok travel agency quite easily. I got quotes from about a half dozen ones and chose the cheapest one -- included airfare, hotel, and guide (mandatory).

As far as Bali, be prepared to be hassled quite a bit by folks trying to make a quick buck. They have all kinds of scams that can fool even seasoned travelers...so be wary. Travelers come to Bali for either (or both) of the beaches or the "culture" -- lots of dances, temples, ceremonies. They're more than happy for you to take part in them if you're properly attired.

Oh, and I hear the ancient ruins of Borodobur in Java are pretty cool, for while you're in Indonesia...

Sounds like you've got a great trip planned...have fun!

worldwidemike

aSiAnRiCk · 01-07-2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the informative post Mike!

I worked the graveyard shift for the 5 past years so I don't think I'll have an issue with jetlag (my hours are the opposite of normal people lol)

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take the trip to Cambodia. I only have 3 days in Bangkok

But I wrote down all the other things you suggested.

And I'll keep that in mind about Bali. I don't really care for the beach since I live about 5 mts away from the beach here in South Florida. But I'm definitely up for their culture.

Also, I'm going for 2 days to Borobudur. I read that Indonesia doesn't really have a malaria threat UNLESS you're going to Borobudur or to the rural areas. I guess I'll be asking my doctor to prescribe me the malaria pills

Thanks again!

**worldwidemike** · 01-08-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aSiAnRiCk@Jan 7 2006, 11:49 PM
Also, I'm going for 2 days to Borobudur. I read that Indonesia doesn't really have a malaria threat UNLESS you're going to Borobudur or to the rural areas.* I guess
[snapback]97260[/snapback]

Borobodur! Cool!!!

Please post some pics and your impressions of the site when you get back. It's on my list of places I really want to see...

Besides, I have to have something new to hang over LostFarmBoy's head since he's been to Macchu Picchu and I haven't!!!

worldwidemike

aSiAnRiCk · 01-12-2006, 12:50 AM

I will

So did you go to Bali? Why didn't you go ahead and visit the Borobudur temple? Might as well since you're only few hours away lol